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1148. Extreme Heat in 2023 May Have Weakened the Carbon Sink Capacity of Terrestrial Ecosystems

1148. Extreme Heat in 2023 May Have Weakened the Carbon Sink Capacity of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Normally, land absorbs about one-third of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans. However, the team's study, published in the National Science Review, suggests that extreme heat waves in 2023 caused massive wildfires and severe droughts, undermining the land's ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
An international team of scientists, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), analyzed the 2023 carbon budget based on global vegetation models and satellite data.
According to the study, measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii saw an 86% year-on-year spike in atmospheric carbon concentrations in 2023, the highest since observations began in 1958. In contrast to this rapid increase, fossil fuel emissions have increased by only about 0.6%, and the decline in the carbon storage capacity of terrestrial ecosystems has heightened concerns about the acceleration of climate change.
Among other things, massive wildfires across Canada and the Amazon drought in 2023 released almost as much carbon into the atmosphere as North America's total fossil fuel emissions, highlighting the profound impact of climate change on natural ecosystems.
Reference
Piyu Ke et al, Low latency carbon budget analysis reveals a large decline of the land carbon sink in 2023, National Science Review (2024). https://academic.oup.com/nsr/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nsr/nwae367/78…;
Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program